Mike Thompson, a former Abington Township commissioner, registered architect, and a father of two Abington School District students (one in the middle school, the other soon-to-be), published an opinion piece regarding the Abington Middle School referendum on May 20:
Abington Middle School has served our town for more than 60 years—educating generations, fostering community, and standing as a symbol of public investment in our children. But as proud as we are of its history, we must now face reality: the building no longer meets the needs of 21st-century education. It’s time to build a new school that matches the ambitions we have for our students—and the $285 million bond referendum on the upcoming ballot is our best, most responsible path forward.
I understand the concern many residents have about increasing property taxes. We live in the same town, pay the same bills, and feel the same pressures. But this is not an extravagant project cooked up to line pockets—it’s a critical investment in infrastructure, safety, accessibility, and educational quality. This referendum is about ensuring Abington continues to be a community where families want to live, and where every child has a fair shot at success.
Let’s be clear about something: this is not about a facelift. The school is beyond repair. Built in a different era, it now suffers from failing systems, overcrowded halls, and structural limitations that can’t support today’s technology or teaching methods. Teachers are forced to work around a lack of space and outdated classrooms, and students miss out on modern learning opportunities that neighboring districts take for granted, leaving our children with a competitive disadvantage as their education progresses.
Even more concerning is accessibility. The building does not meet current ADA standards (the Americans with Disabilities Act would not pass as civil rights legislation for another 30 years after the current school opened), meaning students and staff with mobility challenges face barriers every day just to move around the school. That’s not just a design flaw—it’s a moral failing we can and must correct.
A new facility will address all of this, and more. It will include state-of-the-art classrooms, science labs, and spaces designed for collaborative, project-based learning. It will be fully ADA-compliant, energy-efficient, and built to serve our community for another 60 years. The project’s architects will carefully vet its design to balance educational needs with cost-conscious planning, and include no luxury frills—just what’s necessary to give our kids a safe, modern, and functional place to learn. However, an investment in that design process can not begin until we, as a community, know that the project is real.
Yes, a $285 million bond is significant. But so is the cost of doing nothing. Delaying replacement will only make construction more expensive down the line (imagine investing $200 million now to renovate, only to revisit this conversation in 20 years at 3%-4% annual inflation- it’s not hard to imagine the replacement price tag in 20 years will add a 60%-80% inflation premium to the price we’re discussing now), while our students continue to learn in substandard conditions. As an additional consideration, remember that strong schools protect property values. Communities that invest in education thrive; those that don’t, fall behind.
This is a long-term investment in the heart of Abington and the heart of Abington’s future—our children, our economy, and our shared quality of life. Let’s not let this moment pass us by. Let’s vote yes on May 20th’s bond referendum and build the kind of school—and community—we can all be proud of.
The price of progress is real. But the cost of inaction will be far greater.
For additional coverage about the upcoming vote, you can read Glenside Local’s interviews with Vote Yes to Invest and Common Sense Abington.
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